Inspecting Large Concrete Culverts

perhaps a system like this:

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/18009-videoray-pro-3-underwater-robot-camera-system-from-videoray-llc.html

It depends what you mean by large - if you want mechanical drive units, look at sites like Cues, Radiodetection for their tractor systems, for in water - you would need ROV's and there are plethora of providers depending upon the size and if you wanted tracked and big, look at www.hytec.fr and their VisitII - very nice if you have $1.6 million to spare

Check with RedZone Robotics. They do that type of work. www.redzone.com

I don't know what they are like now but we hired Red Zone a couple of years ago for a sanitary sewer inspection project because they told us they could handle the high flow rates and difficult access. However, we had to terminate their contract for non-performance after several months of difficulties.

Again, this was several years ago and it may have been an isolated incident for them, but that was our experience.

What kind of difficulties led to the termination?

We had hired them to inspect several stretches of combined sewer just upstream of the main interceptor. The interceptor is a 12-foot diameter brick sewer and the combined sewer to be inspected enters the main interceptor above the spring line (at approximately 7 feet). The immediate upstream manholes on the combined sewer were not located during previous inspections so it was necessary to enter from the downstream end at the main interceptor. Red Zone was unable to get the robot into the combined sewer. They told us for several months that they were trying to find a way to get the robot in but they were never succesful. There was not a manhole located at this location so they could not just lower it in and guide it to the sewer. They most likely would have had to build scaffolding in the sewer and lift the robot into the combined sewer. We realized this when we bid out the job and were assured by Red Zone that it was not a problem, but I guess it was more of a problem than they anticipated. If I remember correctly by the time we terminated the contract it was too late to find someone else and the inspection never happened.

If you are not bypassing the flow the ideal way is to get a crew that is capable of correctly floating a system down stream. There are a few really good companies that I can highly recommend. If it is a matter of inspection the combined line these companies aere capable of this also. RedZone is a Joke I have seen so many of their contracts cancelled due to them over selling their capabilities. They need to stick to nuclear where they have some expertise and leave sewer to the sewerguy's

I was not aware of this company. I have contacted them and am waiting for their reply. Their website provided information that I was looking for.

Thank you for the information.

Other than the obvious (robot submarine) what about sonar/ultrasound?

Here's a link for you:

http://rebar.ecn.purdue.edu/ECT/links/technologies/civil/smartsew.aspx

Sonar is the way to inspect concrete culverts that are filled with flow. I am aware of a company (R&R Visual) that is proficient and doing this.

It will give you the ability to quantify debris, as well as concrete loss.

The may even be able to sonar the underwater sections and televise the upper sections. RedZone has a habit of bidding on jobs and not being able to fufill thier obligations.

I am a representative of RedZone Robotics and agree with the above postings, sonar is the way to go. There is also wire-break and leak detection technology offered by PPIC and PURE technologies that could be helpful depending on the pipe's construction and charge.

I would also like to point out that "SewerGuy" is a reprsentative for a camera manufacturer (IBAK) that considers themselves a competitor of ours, so please take his comments with a grain of salt. We have many satisfied clients that I would be glad to refer anybody to if they are interested in working with RedZone and doubt our ability to perform.